The American Spectator

It’s the time of year when lots of fellow conservatives will make the case that we should vote for a third party and send a message via Howard Phillips, Pat Buchanan, or the libertarians.

Put me down for voting in the GOP, dissatisfying as it is.

When I worked as public policy director for a conservative advocacy group in Georgia, the state legislature was still controlled by Democrats. In a parliamentary body, it is extremely simple to bury the other sides issues at the committee level, particularly if the petitioners don’t have the media on their side. I saw that dynamic up close.

If you register a protest vote and help the Democrats get elected, the entire conservative slate of issues will go underwater and exist in committee and sub-committee purgatory until another change of power occurs.

I’m not in the conservative lobbyist business anymore, but I sure don’t wish that frustration on the guys and gals that are. So, I’ll just keep pulling the lever for the Elephants.